Demographics

Demographics

Historical population
Year Pop. ±%
1963 95,000 —
1968 180,226 +89.7%
1975 557,887 +209.5%
1980 1,042,099 +86.8%
1985 1,379,303 +32.4%
1995 2,411,041 +74.8%
1999 2,938,000 +21.9%
2005 4,106,427 +39.8%
2010 8,264,070 +101.2%
Sources:[4][115]
In 2010, the UAE's population was estimated at 8,264,070,[4] of whom only 13% were UAE nationals or Emiratis,[116] while the majority of the population were expatriates.[117] The country's net migration rate stands at 21.71, the world's highest.[118] In recent years, many expatriates have been demanding citizenship but there is currently no naturalisation process in the UAE.[119]
TWith a male/female sex ratio of 2.2 for the total population and 2.75 for the 15–65 age group, the UAE's gender imbalance is second highest in the world after Qatar.[120]
In 2009, Emirati citizens accounted for 16.5% of the total population; South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi) constituted the largest group, making up 58.4% of the total; other Asians made up 16.7% while Western expatriates were 8.4% of the total population.[121]
There is a growing presence of Europeans especially in multi-cultural cities such as Dubai [122] Western expatriates, from Europe, Australia, Northern Africa, Africa and Latin America make up 500,000 of the UAE population.[121] The UAE has also attracted a small number of expatriates from countries in Europe, North America, Asia, and Oceania.[123] More than 100,000 British nationals live in the country.[124] The rest of the population were from other Arab states.[1][125]
The average life expectancy is 76.7 years (2012), higher than for any other Arab country.[126][127]
About 88% of the population of the United Arab Emirates is urban.[128]
Religion
Religions in UAE
Religion Percent
Islam

76%
Christianity

9.0%
Others

15%
Islam is the largest and the official state religion of the UAE, though the government follows a policy of tolerance toward other religions and